Champions Ħamrun Spartans Suffer First Defeat, Sliema and Birkirkara Stay Top!
The 360 Sports Malta Premier was back on the local football agenda last weekend and provided some stunning outcomes as competition continues to get tougher and tougher.
Mosta secured the result of the week when they beat champions Ħamrun Spartans 1-0 while Sliema Wanderers and Birkirkara maintained their impressive start to the campaign with another victory to main their leadership at the top of the standings.
Here is a roundup of all the action from SportsDesk.
Ħamrun Spartans (0 – 1) Mosta FC
Ħamrun Spartans were expected to secure another win against a Mosta side that had struggled in the opening three matches and had yet to secure their first win of the campaign.
But in football, every team has to earn points on the pitch and Mosta battled valiantly to get this win.
The Spartans dominated long spells but the turning point of the match arrived just before half-time when Luke Montebello saw his penalty crash against the bar as the Spartans could not make their superiority count.
After the break, things went from bad to worse for the champions as first Ryan Camenzuli was sent off for dissent and then a minute from time substitute Sunday Okereke fired home the winner to the delight of the Mosta clan.
Birkirkara FC (2 – 0) Hibernians FC
Birkirkara put on another clinical display when they eased past Hibernians in what was billed as the match of the week.
Stefano De Angelis put on a tactical masterclass as the Paolites were never in the match.
Gaitan put Birkirkara ahead on 68 minutes before Siafa grabbed the second seven minutes from time to lift the Stripes to the top on 10 points.
Sliema Wanderers FC (1 – 0) Marsaxlokk FC
Sliema Wanderers joined Birkirkara at the top following a 1-0 win over Marsaxlokk.
Debutant Wescley grabbed the all-important goal after ten minutes as the Blues maintained their unbeaten start to the season.
Gżira United FC (3 – 2) Melita FC
Gżira United and Melita gave life to a thrilling contest as the Maroons grabbed a 3-2 win.
Thaylor Aldama was Gżira’s hero when netting a brace with the other goal coming from a Gabriel Bohrer penalty.
Melita responded with goals from Aldair Simanca Pena and David Xuereb.
Floriana FC (2 – 0) Naxxar Lions FC
Franklin Sasere was Floriana’s hero as the Nigerian foward netted a brace to help his team to a 2-0 win over Naxxar Lions.
The Greens dominated play but could not find a breakthrough against a resolute Naxxar Lions side.
Floriana were awarded a breakthrough when they were awarded a penalty midway through the second half and Sasere cooly converted.
The former Ħamrun Spartans striker had the final say when he grabbed the second in stoppage time.
Żabbar St. Patrick FC (2 – 0) Balzan FC
Żabbar St Patrick secured their first win of the season when they beat Balzan 2-0.
Santos Barroso fired the Saints ahead after only two minutes for play before Brian Gambarte sealed the points from a penalty late on.